Improper Relations [Kindle Edition]

Juliana Ross (Author)

Book Description

Dorset, 1858

When Hannah's caught watching her late husband's cousin debauch the maid in the library, she's mortified—but also intrigued. An unpaid companion to his aunt, she's used to being ignored.

The black sheep of the family, Leo has nothing but his good looks and noble birth to recommend him. Hannah ought to be appalled at what she's witnessed, but there's something about Leo that draws her to him.

When Leo claims he can prove that women can feel desire as passionately as men, Hannah is incredulous. Her own experiences have been uninspiring. Yet she can't bring herself to refuse his audacious proposal when he offers to tutor her in the art of lovemaking. As the tantalizing, wicked lessons continue, she begins to fear she's losing not just her inhibitions, but her heart as well. The poorest of relations, she has nothing to offer Leo but herself. Will it be enough when their erotic education ends?

22,000 words

Product Details

• File Size: 274 KB
• Print Length: 62 pages
• Publisher: Carina Press (April 23, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0070Y370Y
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,600 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A richly detailed historical novella April 23, 2012

By K. Branfield

Format:Kindle Edition

Improper Relations is a splendid historical romance by debut author Juliana Ross. Hannah's curiosity and libido are piqued when she catches cousin by marriage Leo in flagrante delicto with one of the housemaids.

Hannah is a fabulous heroine whose naiveté and innocence about sex are realistic given the time period and her experience with her first husband. Her sexual explorations with Leo are delightfully steamy and erotic. Ms. Ross beautifully expresses Hannah's surprise and wonderment at her awakening sexuality. Despite her growing feelings for Leo, Hannah does not romanticize their encounters and she readily accepts there is no future for them besides a sexual liaison.

Leo is a charming and lovable rogue. As the second son, he is carefree, cheerful and to all appearances, leading a frivolous life. But there is a quite a bit of depth and substance lurking beneath his wastrel facade. He is endlessly patient with Hannah's inexperience and his lessons in lovemaking are very sensual.

Improper Relations by Juliana Ross is a richly detailed historical novella that is written in first person from Hannah's point of view. The shared history between Leo and Hannah sets the foundation for their newfound relationship and lends credibility to their romance. The plot is realistic and in keeping with the time period.

Improper Relations is an engaging novella that is quite enjoyable. It is the perfect book for fans of Historical romances who enjoy light, angst free stories that are fast paced and sinfully steamy.

Review copy obtained from publisher through NetGalley.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Titillating and Erotic Historical Romance Novella (B+ Grade) May 4, 2012

By Katie Babs VINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition

Juliana Ross's debut, Improper Relations is too short but oh so good. This historical romance is on the spicier side with a poor, plain widow who knows nothing of passion until she spies her late husband's cousin, Leo, the black sheep of the family, and a maid getting down and dirty in the library. The widow, Hannah is turned on by Leo and wants to experience the passion the maid apparently has enjoyed. Leo knows Hannah was watching and he's more than willing to introduce her to sex, all types of sex that has her panting and finding satisfaction she never found with her husband. She becomes Leo's willing student and soon not a day goes by where they aren't engaging in various levels of sexual intimacy together. But Hannah knows one day, perhaps sooner than she wants that she and Leo will have to go their separate ways because his mother has plans for him to marry a beautiful woman with substantial means.

Juliana really knows how to pen a scorcher of a read. The tone of the novel really works here in the first person POV of Hannah, a woman caught in a oppressive position because she has to rely on the goodness of her deceased husband's relations in order to survive. One wrong move on her part could be disastrous for her. When she and Leo being their affair, she's putting a great deal on the line, but the results are well worth it. These two aren't just using one another for pleasure; they're building an intense connection. Leo may come across as a cad and rogue, but what you see isn't necessarily what you get.

The ending seems a bit rushed. I wanted to read more between these two regarding the path to their HEA that ends up being very emotional after all they have done together.

Juliana Ross is a new historical romance author to keep your eye on.... The love scenes in Improper Relations are very titillating and erotic, and perfect for those readers who want a little more naughty in their reading material.

Katiebabs Read more ›

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Feasted On: Improper Relations by Juliana Ross April 27, 2012

By Jess @ From Me to You ... Book Reviews

Format:Kindle Edition

4 out of 5 stars, this clever and racy novel pulls you into the life of Hannah, a woman who has to be a lady's companion (which isn't much higher in position than a maid) to be sure, she'll have somewhere to live in England during 1858. Even though Hannah is thirty-years-old and is a widow, she's very naive as to the act of "love making" and after she witnesses in the library, between Leo and a maid, Leo seems more then happy to instruct her into the acts she was really unaware. It's intriguing to read about how Hannah really grows into liking herself and about her budding relationship with Leo.

Leo and Hannah do have a unique relationship. More so because even though Hannah is older than Leo is (I'm very curious as to how many years but the book never says). Leo has more experience then Hannah when it comes to the ways of the world. Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading about them together as they made a good couple.

I recommend this novel to anyone who likes historical erotic romances! It's definitely a sweet read that will leave you hot under the collar. Plus, I loved how the epilogue wrapped everything up so nicely!

Review By: From Me to You ... Book Reviews
(read more of this review and a teaser on my blog)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars wanted a bit more August 10, 2012

By Colette

Format:Kindle Edition

This is one of those books that I have mixed feelings about. For a novella, the story flowed really nicely and never missed a beat. I liked how it was told in first person from the heroine, Hannah's point of view. It's rare to find a historical romance not in third person. I am a sucker for the poor relation falling for the titled lord in romances, and this one was perfect. It had a lot of hotness and enough of a storyline to keep me wanting more.

Even though I liked Hannah a lot and felt her connection to Leo, I almost stopped reading this book after the first chapter. Why? It had all of the things that annoy me about historical romances in it:
The heroine not knowing anything about sex & the hero instructing her on it, he "Oh, are you in pain? How can I help you" line and the I'm so plain and now I feel beautiful because of what happened.
Once it got past all of that though I really started liking Leo and Hannah much better. It had one of my favorite story lines in it (which I can't say what it is without spoiling the story) and I loved the ending. Even though Improper Relations was just 8 chapters long, it was perfect fit for me on a day where I wanted something hot and steamy to read but didn't want to take all week to read. I have a feeling that Juliana Ross is an author to watch.

More About the Author

An editor by profession but an historian by inclination, Juliana Ross has an abiding interest (one might even say obsession) in British social history that first took root when she studied at the University of Oxford. She graduated with a doctorate in modern history and has since used her 350-page thesis, variously, as a paperweight, booster seat and flower press.

Juliana lives in Toronto, Canada, with her husband and young children. In her spare time she cooks for family and friends, makes slow inroads into her weed patch of a garden, and reads romance novels (the steamier the better) on her eReader.